Sarah Boucher McKinney Ch. 6

List 5 usages for the term register.

1. a particular part of the vocal range

2. a resonance area (chest or head)

3. a phonatory process

4.  a certain timbre

5. region of the voice which is defined or delimited by vocal breaks

What are the 3 elements of the definition of register?

-a particular series of tones

-produced in the same manner

-the same basic qualities 

All registers originate in laryngeal function. 

The terms head voice and chest voice are more legitimate as descriptions of resonance sensations.

Many of the problems identified as register problems are really problems of resonance adjustment.

According to McKinney, what are the 4 distinct vibratory forms (registers)?

modal voice, vocal fry, falsetto, whistle

For each register, summarize what you have learned about it.  Include information about
Modal voice:

1.     vibratory pattern: determined by their length, tension and mass

2.     pitch range:

3.     characteristic sound: speaking

4.     uses: singing and speaking
Vocal Fry:
1. vibratory pattern:
2. pitch range: low - mean of 36.4 hertz
3. characteristic sound: popping, frying, rattling
4. uses: supply low notes and therapeutically
Falsetto:
1. vibratory pattern: whole vocal chord is involved in the vibration
2. pitch range: above modal before whistle
3. characteristic sound: breathy and flute like with few overtones present
4. uses: vocal development, pitches above the modal register, for pianissimo pitches
Whistle:
1.vibratory pattern: vocal folds act like puckered lips
2. pitch range: between high C and high G
3. characteristic sound: whistle
4. uses: for high notes

In modal register, how is frequency controlled?
the length, tension and mass of the vocal folds

Sometimes singers/voice teachers mistakenly identify an area of vocal problems as a register break.  What is often more likely the issue?
 the adjustment may need to happen in the resonance system

What is the shape of the vocal folds for the lowest tones?
thick and wedge shaped

What is one of the primary reasons for vocalizing in falsetto?
 to aid in the development of the upper portion of the modal voice

What are the essential differences between modal and falsetto?
In falsetto, only the edges of the folds enter into vibration. In modal voice, the wavelike motion involves the whole vocal chord, with the glottis opening at the bottom first and then at the top.

Describe the different ways that singers produce falsetto?
leaving the cartilaginous portion of the glottis open, the full length of the glottis opens and closes in each cycle, damping (the amount of glottal opening is less and less as the pitch rises)

Most professional singers have at least an octave range where modal and falsetto overlap.  

Why is it sometimes hard to tell whether a female singer is singing in modal or falsetto?
the difference in timbre and dynamic level is not as pronounced in a female voice as it is in male